Combined level, grade, distance, and elevation finder.



N 07 992. PATENTED DEC. 19, 1905.

0 8 c. B. BARCLAY.

COMBINED LEVEL, GRADE, DISTANCE, AND ELEVATION FINDER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3, 1905.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

W3 f neooeo Wu (4 4 yaw No- 807,992. PATENTBD DEC. 19, 1905. G. B. BARCLAY.

COMBINED LEVEL, GRADE, DISTANGB,'AND ELEVATION FINDER. AYPLIGATION FILED JUNE 3. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

anocntoz wi n cooeo fi??? Ewia/ M 2 igu-fi ua PATENTED DEC. 19, 1905.

G.B.BARGLAY. COMBINED LEVEL, GRADE, DISTANCE, AND ELEVATION FINDER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 19, 1905.

Application filed June 3, 1905. Serial No. 263,592.

To Ml whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES B. BARCLAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rockland, in the county of Tyler and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in a Combined Level, Grade, Distance, and Elevation Finder, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is a combination plumb and spirit level, and relates to devices employed by architects, railway-builders, mechanics, and others engaged in building operations. This device enables the operators to determine grades, levels, and directions, as well as altitudes and distances.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view. Fig. 3 is an elevation of my double-pointed finger, heart-shaped weight, and spirit-bulb. Fig. 4 is a face view of my hood, showing my locking device attached thereto. Fig. 5 is a face view of the graduated dial-plate, being a complete half-circle. Fig. 6 is a section showing a part of the body of my level and a vertical spirit-bulb secured therein, as shown at a, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view on the line y y, showing a transverse spirit-bulb secured therein, as at 91 F 2- In the above-mentioned drawings, accompanying this specification and forming a part thereof, and in which corresponding parts are denoted by like designating characters, is illustrated and described the preferred form of the invention capable of carrying the same into practical operation; but my invention is not necessarily limited thereto, as various changes in shape, proportions, and general assemblage of parts may be resorted to without departing from the principle of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is therefore reserved of making all the changes and modifications which fairly fall within the scope of the invention and the claims made therefor.

My invention being provided on its upper face with sights and compasses enables me to accurately take horizontal degrees from a given point, and thereby ascertain the distance to any point, and by means of my finger and dial-plate I can take the vertical degrees and ascertain the altitude of any given point. I can also thereby quickly and accurately strike a miter or determine or set a grade for foot or mile.

My level is described as follows: The numeral 1 represents the body, which is usually a skeleton iron frame. This body is usually about two feet long. It maybe made longer or shorter and it may be made of wood or other material. The size or material has nothing to do with the patentability. The body has through its lower wall perforations 2, so that it may be conveniently secured to a staff. It is also provided with transverse horizontal spirit-bulbs 3, so that it may be conveniently set to-a perfect level on a staff or other thing horizontally considered. It is also provided with vertical spirit-bulbs 4.

In order to enable me to erect a post or other thing in a perfectly vertical position or ascertain if it is so vertical, there is mounted on the upper face and in the center, considered longitudinally, of the body a hood 5. This hood 5 is locked or provided with a back wall 6; but the hood does not extend entirely to the rear face of the body. Mounted on the upper face at each end and near the rear face of the body are sights 7. Sunk in the upper face and near each end of the body is a magnetic compass 8, the purpose of all of which will be perfectly understood without further mention.

Set in the hood is a half-circle grade-plate 9. In the center of the body 1 is a box 10, having a circular opening for the escape of dirt or other matter that might accidentally get into the same. Secured on the top edge of the front wall of said box is a bearing 12, having in its center a perforation. In this perforation is pivoted an axle 13. To this axle 13 is secured a finger or grade-finder 14. This finger is provided with an upper point 15 and a lower point 16. Secured to the lower end of said finger is a heart-shaped weight 17, having through it a horizontal perforation 18. In said perforation 18 is secured horizontally a spirit-bulb 19. Each end of this bulb is capped with a cap of metal 20 and 20, respectively, (see Fig. 3,) to one of which caps, 20, is secured one end of a spring 21, the said end extending to the outer edge of the weight,

turning downwardly and forming a bearing 22, through which is inserted a keeper 23, which passes into the said weight and holds the spring in place. This cap fits neatly in said perforation 18, while the other cap 20 is susceptible of a little vertical movement. The free end of the spring 21 rests under the said cap 20 and bears it upwardly, and running through the upper part of the weight is a screw 24, adapted to press said cap 20' down- ITO Wardly, and thus the bubble 25 of the bulb may be always kept in the exact center of the tube by operating the screw 24.

It is known that sometimes the bulb from rough handling of the tube will get slightly out of place and the bubble shifted from the center. Hence the necessity of the device just above mentioned.

The bulbs 3 and 4 above mentioned are secured in place and regulated by similar springs and screws. In the front face of the box 10 is a circular slot 26 to enable us to see the bubble 25 of the bulb 19. (See Fig. 1.)

The finger 14 and weight 17 are so pivoted on the axle 13 that the finger stands in a vertical position when the body of the level is horizontal and points to the zero-mark a. The dial 9 is provided with a plurality of concentric graduations of different values for use in determining various grades and angles. The outer circle 6 of the dial is divided by radial lines 0 to represent the three hundred and sixty degrees of a circle, the second circle (Z, by lines d, representing ten degrees of a circle to facilitate the reading, and the third circle a is divided by radial lines 6, representing fractions of a foot, to indicate the grades, and the inner circle'f is divided into larger fractions of a foot to facilitate the reading of the grades. (See Fig. 5.)

For illustration the third circle of the dial is divided to represent grades of one-fourth of an inch to the foot and the inner circle to represent grades of one inch to the foot; but these proportions may be varied to suit the requirements of the work. It will thus be observed that by noticing the position of the finger relative to the gradations on the dial it is a very simple matter to determine the degree of vertical angularity, or the extent of the grade of a distant object or a structure, or the grade or level of the ground, or anything that is immediately being considered. This level may also be used in mitering pictures, forty-five degrees being the miter-point, and it is also very convenient in pitching the roof of a house and for other purposes not necessary to mention.

The finger 14 is rigidly secured to the axle 13, and immediately in the rear of the finger and rigidly secured to said axle is a small wheel 27, so that when the finger moves the small wheel moves with it. Secured to the upper part and outer Wall of the hood 5 is a spring 28, the free end of which runs down to within a short distance of the upper edge of the body 1. Secured in the free end of the spring 28 is the outer end of a rod 29, and to the inner end of said rod 29 is a shoe 30, adapted to fit the periphery of said small wheel 27. When said spring is down, the shoe 30 is pressed against the periphery of the wheel 27, and the finger 14 is locked in whatever position at that time it may be in. The under face of the lower end of said spring is cut outwardly, formingabevel31. Alocking-lug 32 is placed on the hood in a track 33, so that it may slide up and down, and has projecting from its lower end a bolt 34, which passes through a perforation in a projection 35. Said locking-lug is pressed up against the end of the spring 28 or under the bevel 31 thereof by means of a coil-spring 36.

When the locking-lug 32 rests against the end of the spring 28, the foot 30 is pressed down upon the wheel 27 and the finger 14 is locked; but when I Want the finger to act freely I raise the free end of the spring 28 and pass the beveled edge of the locking-lug 32 under the bevel 31 of said spring, which raises the foot 30 off the wheel 27.

For the convenience of writing up the claims I call the wheel 27, the spring 28, the rod 29, the foot 30, the locking-lug 32, the track 33, the bolt 34, the extension 35, and the coilspring 36 the locking device.

In taking a grade in a place where it is dark or inconvenient to see the face of the dial I set the level, and while the level is in position I pull the locking-lug 32 downwardly from under the bevel 31, when the spring 28 immediately operates and locks the finger, and when I bring the instrument to the light I can read the grade.

Having described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- I 1. The combination of the body 1, provided with perforations 2, through its lower Wall, and in its center with a box 10, provided with circular slots 11 and 26; spirit-bulbs 3, secured transversely and horizontally in said body; spirit-bulbs 4, secured vertically in said body; sights 7, secured on the upper face of said body; compasses 8, secured in the upper wall of said body; a hood 6, secured in the center of, and to the upper face of said body; a half-circle dial-plate 9, secured in said hood and divided into radial lines; a perforated bearing 12, secured to the upper edge of the front wall of said box; a finger 14, pivoted in the perforation of said bearing; a weight 17, secured to the lower portion of said finger; a spirit-bulb 19, secured in the perforation 18, in said weight; a spring 21, secured to one end of said bulb, its free end adapted to elevate the other end of said bulb; a screw 24, adapted to depress the last-mentioned end of said bulb; similar springs 21 and screws 24, attached to bulbs 3 and 4, above mentioned; a locking device as described, adapted to lock said finger, substantially as shown and described and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a combined level, grade, distance and elevation finder, the combination of a body 1, having in its center a slotted box 10; horizontal spirit-bulbs 3, one situated on each side of said box; vertical bulbs 4, one situated near each end of said body; sights 7, situated on the upper face of said body; a dial-plate IIS situated in the center of said body and divided by radial lines; a weighted finger pivoted in a position to indicate the degrees and fractions of a foot, into which the face of said dial is divided, substantially as shown and described and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a combined level, grade, distance and elevation finder, the combination of a body, provided with perforations in its lower edge; horizontal and vertical bulbs secured in said body; a dial situated at the center of said body; a hood protecting said dial; a finger pivoted in said body in a position to indicate the degrees and fractions of feet marked on said dial; a Weight secured to the lower end of said finger, substantially as shown and described and for the purposes set forth.

4. In a combined level, grade, distance and elevation finder, consisting of a body 1, provided with perforations 2, through its lower wall, horizontal and vertical spirit bulbs 3 and 4, situated in said body, box 10, situated in the center of said body, the combination with said parts of a bearing 12, situated in the center of said body; an axle 13, journaled in the center of said bearing; a half-circular dial 9, situated in the center of and rising from the upper face of said body; a hood 5, extending over and protecting said dial; a finger 14, rigidly secured on said axle in position to indicate the degrees and fractions of feet marked on said dial; a weight 17, secured to the lower end of said finger to keep it in a vertical position; a small wheel 27, rigidly se cured on said axle 13; a spring 28, one end secured at the center and to the outer wall of said hood, its free end extending downwardly with the curve of said hood, nearly to the foot thereof, the free end provided with an under bevel 31; a perforated extension 35, extending from the outer face of'said hood some distance below the free end of said spring; a locking-lug 32,.provided with a bolt 34, passing through the perforation of said extension; a spring 36, coiled around said bolt adapted to push said locking-lug upwardly and under the free end of said spring 28 when said end is raised; a rod 29, secured in the free end of said spring, passing through said hood and extending nearly to the periphery of said wheel 27 a foot 30, secured to the inner end of said rod and adapted to rest against the periphery of said wheel, substantially as shown and described and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a combined level, grade, distance and elevation finder as substantially shown and described, in combination with said device, spirit-bulbs 3, 4 and 19, horizontally and vertically secured therein; springs 21, having one end secured to one end of said bulbs, their other ends resting under the other ends of said bulbs, and bearing said ends upwardly; a screw 24, Working against the last-mentioned ends of said bulbs and adapted to press said ends downwardly, substantially as shown and described, and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES B. BARCLAY.

l/Vitnesses:

JAMES H. SANDLIN, JAMES L. BULLOCK. 

